Howard County is strategically located between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Howard County is easily accessible from Baltimore Washington International and given our central location along the Eastern seaboard we are a distance from Richmond, Philadelphia and New York City.

This is a dynamic time to diversify your farm, or add additional products, if it works for you. The demand for locally grown products and the movement to know the source of your food makes it a perfect time to grow and harvest different products, or begin producing products or offering services onsite.

Shea Radiance

"The HCEDA has provided amazing support to our growing manufacturing business in many ways. The team is really committed to keeping small businesses alive especially in these very difficult economic times. HCEDA walked us through the loan acquisition process and we were able to secure a low interest loan through the Countys Catalyst program. In addition to financing, they have a very seasoned team of experts who understand the joys and struggles of entrepreneurship to provide support and guidance to small business owners.

HCEDA is an integral part of the Shea radiance success story." - Funlayo Alabi, President of Shea Radiance

Their Story

The Alabis founded Shea Radiance after they started using pure, unrefined shea butter to develop skincare for their children. Long familiar with the legendary power of shea, the Alabis concocted a product that was the only solution for their son's severely dry skin and eczema. Soon, friends and family members began to make requests and encouraged the Alabis to sell their product. Shea Radiance went from home use to farmers' market stalls and is now on sale at premiere salons and spas, as well as select Target stores, Whole Foods markets,

independent chains and online.

Shea Radiance re-directs 10% of its net profit to women shea producers and currently supports eight co-ops in Nigeria. Shea Radiance also has grown from one main product line, Shea Radiance Body, and added Shea Radiance Hair and Shea Radiance Spa in November 2011. Shea Radiance has received numerous accolades for its all-natural, fairly traded and high-quality products, Innovative Green Packaging Award - winning sustainable packaging and overall social responsibility.

Shola and Funlayo Alabi are both actively involved in Shea Radiance with Shola overseeing back-of-house operations and Funlayo taking the lead up-front. Everyday the Alabis, and the rest of the Shea Radiance team, strive to demonstrate the exceptional beauty of shea.